: an instance or gesture of approval or encouragement

Examples of thumbs-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Investors gave the quarter the thumbs-up and pushed shares of the company up 7.3 percent to $21.16 in after-hours trading. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 July 2025 Ellenson shared a photo provided by the Hoffman family showing the senator smiling and giving a thumbs-up while standing in front of a hospital room with a suitcase. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 July 2025 In Colorado, a measure aimed at expanding protections from surprise ambulance bills got a unanimous thumbs-up in both legislative chambers. Rae Ellen Bichell, NPR, 9 July 2025 The family released a photo showing a smiling Hoffman giving a thumbs-up while standing with a suitcase on rollers, ready to leave the hospital. Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-up

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumbs-up was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbs-up. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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